6. Jehu got up and went into the house. Then the young prophet poured the olive oil on Jehu’s head. He said to Jehu, “This is what the Lord of Israel says: ‘I have appointed you king over the Lord’s people, Israel.
7. You must destroy the family of Ahab your master. I will punish Jezebel for the deaths of my servants the prophets. And I will punish her for all the Lord’s servants who were murdered.
8. So all Ahab’s family will die. I will not let any male child in Ahab’s family live in Israel. It does not matter if he is a slave or a free person.
9. I will make Ahab’s family like the family of Jeroboam son of Nebat. They will be like the family of Baasha son of Ahijah.
10. The dogs will eat Jezebel in the portion of land at Jezreel. And no one will bury her.’”Then the young prophet opened the door and ran away.
11. Jehu went back to his master’s officers. One of them said to Jehu, “Is everything all right? Why did this crazy man come to you?”Jehu answered, “You know the man and how he talks.”
12. They answered, “That’s not true! Tell us.”Jehu said, “He said, ‘This is what the Lord says: I have appointed you to be king over Israel.’”
13. Then the officers hurried. Each man took off his own coat. They put them on the stairs for Jehu. Then they blew the trumpet. They said, “Jehu is king!”
14. So Jehu son of Jehoshaphat made plans against Joram. (Jehoshaphat was the son of Nimshi.) Now Joram and all Israel had been defending Ramoth in Gilead from Hazael king of Aram.
15. But King Joram had to return to Israel to heal from the injuries the Arameans had given him. He received these injuries when he fought against Hazael king of Aram.Jehu said, “If you agree with this, don’t let anyone leave the city. They might tell the news in Jezreel.”
16. Then he got into his chariot and set out for Jezreel. Joram was resting there. And Ahaziah king of Judah had gone down to see him.
17. The lookout was standing on the watchtower in Jezreel. He saw Jehu’s troops coming. He said, “I see some soldiers!”Joram said, “Take a horseman and send him to meet them. Tell him to ask, ‘Do you bring good news?’”
18. So the horseman rode out to meet Jehu. The horseman said, “This is what the king says: ‘Do you bring good news?’”Jehu said, “That’s none of your business! Come along behind me.”The lookout reported, “The messenger reached them. But he is not coming back.”